Search thousands of Speaker's rulings with AI-powered precision.
March 18, 1986
Simultaneous translation is provided in the House so that Members can follow the proceedings as they take place, no matter in which language they occur. The issue of translation aside, however,...
This ruling clarifies that challenges to unparliamentary language must be made immediately, as the key test is the disorder caused at the time of speaking, not later.
April 22, 1985
If the traditional criteria are rigidly applied, premature disclosure of committee reports and proceedings undoubtedly encroaches upon parliamentary privilege. The Speaker stated, however, that...
The Speaker ruled that while the premature disclosure of a committee report is a breach of privilege, no action would be taken due to the Canadian tradition of upholding freedom of the press.
December 14, 1984
A committee may only consider those matters which have been referred to it by the House, and must report to the House in order to seek a broadening of its order of reference. It is certain that...
A ruling confirming that parliamentary committees are strictly bound by their orders of reference from the House and cannot self-task or direct other committees.
October 12, 1983
Members who participate in a public debate outside the House enjoy no special protection. Privilege can only be claimed in relation to a parliamentary proceeding. Privilege is not designed to...
A Speaker's ruling clarifies that parliamentary privilege does not protect Members from criticism arising from activities outside of official parliamentary proceedings.
March 22, 1983
Not only do defamatory allegations about Members place the entire institution of Parliament under a cloud, they also prevent Members from performing their duties as long as the matter remains...
A Speaker's ruling confirms that defamatory allegations against a Member can be referred to a committee despite the sub judice convention to protect the Member's ability to function.
March 31, 1981
Only the House can decide whether to discontinue or not to initiate a debate. Whatever the practice followed, the sub judice convention does not apply when studying bills, that is while the House...
The Speaker ruled that the sub judice convention does not prevent the House from debating legislative matters, including constitutional resolutions, even if the subject is before the courts.
November 6, 1980
The original resolution of the House respecting the introduction of television states that the House approves the radio and television broadcasting of its proceedings and of the proceedings of its...
The Speaker ruled that parliamentary committees cannot broadcast their proceedings without first receiving explicit authorization from the House of Commons.
October 29, 1980
Certain interventions touching upon Members' privileges of freedom of speech and liable to influence Members in the exercise of their duties, such as editorials and other public comment, do not...
The Speaker ruled that a government advertising campaign did not constitute a breach of privilege as pressure from an outside body is not, in itself, interference with parliamentary proceedings.
October 11, 1979
The Speaker: On June 1, 1994, the honourable member for Winnipeg—Transcona raised a point of order concerning the designation of party status for members of the New Democratic Party. I would like...
The Speaker ruled that the House, not the Chair, must decide on granting official party status, but used his discretion to seat the NDP caucus together on the seating plan.
November 9, 1978
The complaint was raised at the earliest opportunity. The letter from the Solicitor General to Mr. Lawrence can be considered a proceeding in Parliament for the purpose of privilege. A contempt...
The Speaker found a prima facie case of contempt, ruling that a minister's letter is a proceeding in Parliament and the sub judice convention does not apply to a Royal Commission.